Weather Forecast

River Falls man dead after party bus accident

This photo of a party bus appears on the Kilimanjaro Taxi Service web site.

A 23-year-old River Falls man died late Saturday night in Ellsworth after he fell from the rear door of moving bus as came into the village on Hwy. 10.

Joel K. Velure apparently fell from rear fire escape door of a "party bus" operated by Kilimanjaro Taxi Service of Hudson. He struck the pavement and reportedly received immediate medical attention but died before he could be airlifted.

The accident is under investigation by the Ellsworth Police Department with assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Ellsworth officer Darren Foss said the bus was impounded following the accident.

Foss declined to release any further details such as to whether an autopsy was ordered, how many passengers were on the ride, or where the group was coming from or going to.

The vehicle was an old school bus, repainted and converted to haul passengers to- and from wedding receptions, bar crawls and other private events.

"A party bus is a cost effective way to organize your night out on the town without leaving anyone stranded and also saves you coordinating your guests through streets they aren't familiar with," said narrative on the Kilamanjaro web site.